After a week of persistent dry weather and rising mercury across Madhya Pradesh, the State is bracing for a change in weather patterns. According to the latest forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, rain clouds are expected to return to several districts, ending the recent dry spell. The rainfall is predicted to commence on March 27, initially affecting the northern and north-eastern pockets of the State, including Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna. Weather officials indicate that this activity is likely to expand significantly by March 29 and 30, covering western parts of the state as well. Meteorologists have identified multiple synoptic systems triggering this shift. A Western Disturbance is currently positioned as a trough in the middle tropospheric westerlies, while an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over southeast Rajasthan. Additionally, another Western Disturbance is expected to impact Northwest India starting the night of March 28, further fuelling the moisture incursion into Madhya Pradesh.

 

Bhopal recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8°C and a minimum of 17.8°C. The local forecast for the city remains mainly clear for now, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 37°C and 18°C, respectively. Residents can expect average wind speeds between 12 and 14 kmph. For the time being, the weather remained dry across all divisions. While maximum temperatures showed no significant change, minimum temperatures were notably 2.2°C above normal in the Narmadapuram and Chambal divisions. Narmadapuram recorded the State’s highest temperature at 38.8°C, while Pachmarhi remained the coolest at 14.4°C. With temperatures rising during the afternoon hours. For the farming community, the IMD has issued instructions to manage crops amidst the shifting conditions. Farmers are advised to maintain adequate soil moisture for wheat at the grain-filling stage and to harvest mature mustard and early Rabi crops promptly to avoid losses. With rain on the horizon, monitoring orchards for pests like powdery mildew during the flowering stage has also been recommended.